Abstract. Copolymer hydrogels composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was prepared by using electron beam irradiation as crosslinking agent. The copolymers were characterized by FTIR and the physical properties such as gelation. The thermal behavior and swelling properties of the prepared hydrogels were investigated as a function of PVA/CMC composition. The f…